ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Double for Derby & Oaks Trials Day at Lingfield

Illinois, 2pts WIN, 5/2

This isn’t the strongest of Derby trials, and I’ll be disappointed if Aidan O’Brien’s ILLINOIS (best price 5/2) can’t get the better of Defiance and land Lingfield’s feature under the in-form Ryan Moore. 

He was very impressive in winning on similar ground on his debut at Tipperary by more than three lengths before doubling his tally at the Curragh, displaying versatility in terms of the ground. 

Despite losing his unbeaten record when sent off as the favourite in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud next time out, he was marginally denied into third, and that is the best piece of form on offer in this field. 

He could only finish third in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on his return, having been sent off as the odds-on favourite, but the going was heavy and he might have needed the run this time around. 

If he had won that race, I have no doubt he would have been much shorter in the betting for this race. He is the top-rated runner in the field, and I’m confident we will see a different horse under these quicker conditions.

Remarkee, 2pts WIN, 6/5

Very rarely do I nominate a short-priced favourite, but I just think REMARQUEE (best price 6/5) is different class to her rivals in the William Hill Chartwell Fillies' Stakes, and she is fancied to make a triumphant return to action under James Doyle. 

She won her first couple of starts, including a win at this level on her second start when beating Stenton Glider. Her only blip came in the 1000 Guineas when she finished down the field before finishing second in a pair of Group 1 races. 

Her second in the Coronation Stakes behind Tahiyra is the standout piece of form, and she lost little in defeat when she finished second to Nashwa in the Falmouth Stakes. Despite the quick turnaround, she ran well to finish fourth in the Prix Rothschild Stakes next time. 

She’s not been seen since, but she has undergone wind surgery and goes well fresh, plus the ground is in her favour. She is miles clear of these on ratings, and although a couple others have a fitness edge, she should be too good for these. 

Extra ITV Tips

Think First, 1pt E/W, 8/1, 4 places 

Dual-purpose trainer Neil Mulholland makes a rare visit to the Berkshire venue with just one runner, which comes in the opening race on the card, the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Handicap. 

The horse in question is THINK FIRST (best price 8/1), who has made an encouraging start for this stable, and was last seen outrunning his odds to finish second at Epsom last time out behind the well handicapped Champagne Piaff. 

Considering his excellent effort in defeat, the handicapper has reduced his mark by a pound, and the only previous time he competed at this course was when he finished ninth in last year’s Group 2 Queens Vase at Royal Ascot. 

He is sure to find this easier, and he will like the ground conditions. With plenty more to come, course form in the book, and having just his second start in this sphere for his handler, he makes plenty of each-way appeal. 

Global Heat, 0.5 pts E/W, 16/1

The William Hill Epic Value Handicap has a bit of a wide-open look about it, and I’m keen to shy away from the top of the market in favour of a couple of bigger-priced runners, including Saeed Bin Suroor’s GLOBAL HEAT (best price 16/1). 

This eight-year-old has been kept busy during his career and has acquitted himself in the utmost fashion on several occasions. He should be all the better for a couple of runs in Meydan this year on his venture back on the turf in the UK. 

He doesn’t win that often, but the last time he succeeded, he beat the 107-rated Away He Goes in a Listed race in Meydan. While he’s spent the best of his career competing in Meydan, he’s proved he has the qualities to act on the turf in Britain. 

Although he failed to show his best form in three starts in the UK last year, the year prior to that, he twice ran well off higher marks than this to make the frame, and this is his lowest mark since winning on his handicap debut at Ripon.

Unlike a few of these, he has fitness on his side, and the ground will be perfect for him. He stays a bit further than this too, so I’m expecting Hector Crouch to make plenty of use of him, and I find it hard to see him out of the frame. 

Base Note, 0.5 pts E/W, 14/1

Simon and Ed Crisford’s BASE NOTE (best price 14/1) is the other one I have come down on in the William Hill Epic Value Handicap, as I believe this five-year-old has yet to showcase his best form on the turf and can hopefully do so this weekend. 

This five-year-old has predominantly been kept to the all-weather, and although he’s failed to beat a rival home in two previous starts on the turf, it seems like connections feel as though this is a good opportunity to show what he can do on the surface. 

His latest win came in November off a mark of 102 at Chelmsford, so there’s no doubt he is well handicapped off a mark of 97 here. Recent evidence suggests he has taken a decline in form, but he’s more than capable at this level and is worth the risk at attractive odds. 

Strong Impact, 0.5 pts E/W, 15/2

STRONG IMPACT (best price 15/2) failed to meet market expectations on her seasonal reappearance when only fourth, but I’m inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt given her very solid record on the turf, which reads 2221. 

Her Newmarket second to the 104-rated Infinite Cosmos when tentatively ridden indicates that she is very well handicapped with a mark of 81, and in her last start on the turf, she bolted up by four lengths at Epsom, justifying favouritism.

The way she quickened up off a steady pace was impressive, and I see no reason why the return to a mile should prove any issue. She has plenty more to come, and the booking of Silvestre De Sousa is a major positive. 

She should be able to take a step forward from her reappearance, and I am struggling to come to terms with her odds being so large. This Group 2 Royal Ascot entry must run a big race if those ambitions are to transpire. I like her chances.

Treasure, 1pt WIN, 11/2

Danielle is the favourite for the William Hill Oaks Trial Fillies' Stakes and could be hard to beat, but I’m happy to leave her alone. I was taken by the performance of TREASURE (best price 11/2) on her debut at Nottingham, and she could turn out to be above-average for Ralph Beckett. 

The way she picked up when asked to go about her business on the testing ground was really impressive, and her rider only used the whip three times. Ben Curtis was mostly doing hands-and-heels stuff, and this filly should prove even more effective over this longer distance. 

The form of her debut win is only modest, but she could hardly have been more impressive, and she deserves to take her chance. She is less exposed than the favourite and the remainder, and I can see her running a big race with Rossa Ryan booked to ride. 

Streets Of Gold, 1pt E/W, 16/1, 6 places 

The Victoria Cup is as highly competitive as you would expect, with plenty to consider. That being said, I really like the claims of STREETS OF GOLD (best price 16/1), who should be all the better from his return run in a Group 3 race at Newmarket. 

Eve Johnson Houghton’s charge was unbeaten in five starts as a two-year-old and has been keeping strong company since. He’s not added to his tally since those wins at two, but the return to this course and distance might see that happen, as we know he acts well at this course. 

He ran a huge race to finish third in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, and a mark of 105 isn’t out of reach. He will get the required strong pace, and he will love the lightning-fast ground, so with various firms paying six places, I can see him being very competitive. 

Hickory, 1pt E/W, 9/1, 6 places 

HICKORY (best price 9/1) went very close to winning over course and distance last summer in a similar event, and he’s only two pounds higher for this race. The six-year-old has yet to win on the turf, but it’s only a matter of time before he strikes after a series of good efforts in defeat.

He has twice made the frame in large-field handicaps over course and distance and looked on good terms with himself when second on his return at Kempton last month. That should have sorted his fitness out, and there’s every inclination to suggest James Fanshawe was using that as a preparatory run for today’s race. 

After just six starts on the turf, he should have more to come, and his experience at this venue will again stand him in good stead. Most firms are offering six places, so if he’s able to take a step forward from his comeback outing, then he should be in the firing line in the latter stages of the race. I think he has a great each way chance.